2023-08-23 02:35:07
Daniel Lemire was comfortably seated in the front row of the Grand Théâtre this evening, to see friends and colleagues celebrate his 40-year career by taking on the characters who forged his years in humor.
Both in the stands and on stage, the admiration for the man who made more than one generation laugh was palpable. The guest comedians conquered the Grand Théâtre, which was not quite full, by borrowing almost entirely from the sketches that marked Mr. Lemire’s career.
Several videos in honor of the man behind Uncle Georges were broadcast on giant screens during the evening, courtesy of Yvon Deschamps, Lise Dion, Claude Meunier and Francis Cabrel, to name a few.
The star of the evening was struggling to find his words, at the fall of the curtain, when he went on stage to make his thanks.
“It was fun to see sketches that I wrote, but played by talented people,” he said, to laughter from the audience.
Mr. Lemire did not fail to throw flowers to his friend, Denis Bouchard, who was behind the staging of this show.
The one we were celebrating tonight was emotional during his acceptance speech. Photo QMI Agency, Marcel Tremblay
Pierre Verville was missed by spectators
Fans of the Grand Théâtre gave a warm welcome to comedian Pierre Verville, who took his first steps in comedy with Daniel Lemire. Even if the crowd was conquered in advance, Verville added a layer of it by performing his impersonations of politicians, such as the mayor of Quebec, Bruno Marchand, or Paul St-Pierre Plamondon, the leader of the Parti Québécois.
The impersonator concluded his number with a song in honor of his good friend, in which he personified several legends of Quebec music, such as Robert Charlebois and Serge Fiori. When he left the stage, all the spectators were on their feet to cheer him on.
Photo Agence QMI, Marcel Tremblay
Michel Courtemanche, honest and emotional
Before taking on the character of Ronnie, the musician with burnt neurons, Michel Courtemanche paid a humorous and emotional tribute to his friend Daniel Lemire. Often close to tears, laughter or nostalgia, the veteran put the crowd in his pocket.
Courtemanche then brought singer and musician Martin Deschamps on stage, to accompany him on drums while his imitation of Ronnie played on guitar, much to the delight of the star of the evening. Ronnie’s gags about Martin Deschamps’ handicaps got the fans laughing, as well as Deschamps himself.
Michel Courtemanche, who played Ronnie, and Martin Deschamps. Photo QMI Agency, Marcel Tremblay
Uncle George’s wife
Actress Sonia Vachon came to close the dance with a female version of Oncle Georges; Aunt Georgette. Dressed in her best clown outfit and equipped with the big yellow wooden chest that we know from the character, her gags on the sexual performances of Uncle Georges made laughter resound throughout the Grand Théâtre. Its wooden chest contained several toys, and not only children’s toys.
To conclude his number, all the guests went on stage, Uncle George hats on their heads, to sing the nursery rhyme. Good evening you friendsall in unison.
A convincing Edmond Ratté
Laurent Paquin has put himself in the shoes of Edmond Ratté, the time to pay tribute to Daniel Lemire. His number, although too short, made the spectators react a lot. The ease he had in interpreting this character, a notorious social clumsy, was to be mistaken and Mr. Lemire himself seemed as convinced as the crowd.
Yvon Travaillé, professor emeritus
Denis Bouchard, in his role of Professor Yvon Travaillé. Photo QMI Agency, Marcel Tremblay
Denis Bouchard excelled in his personification of Professor Yvon Travaillé. Laughter rang out when he addressed the crowd as if it were a problem class, calling out Daniel Lemire as he passed, as if he were one of his students.
Jean-François Mercier, an all-appointed Maurice
The comedian with a fiery temper, Jean-François Mercier, played Maurice, the character of Daniel Lemire who tries to quit smoking. This borrowing suited him perfectly, both for the nature of the gags and for the aggressive mood he displayed.
Yogurt and its puns
Yannick De Martino played Yogourt, a young man who had a hard time with the clown Oncle Georges. The 34-year-old comedian didn’t miss the mark once with his number, which consisted mostly of dairy puns.
Photo Agence QMI, Marcel Tremblay
Clash of generations with Marylène Gendron
At 26, comedian Marylène Gendron admitted without embarrassment to come from another generation of comedians than the one we were celebrating this evening. His respect and admiration for Daniel Lemire didn’t prevent him from ranting about his age, which made the crowd, who averaged the same age as the veteran, laugh.
Photo Agence QMI, Marcel Tremblay
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